On January 31, 2022, who among the following became the first Indian male athlete and the second Indian overall to win the 2021 World Games Athlete of the Year?

Key Points

• PR Sreejesh is an Indian field hockey player who plays as a goalkeeper.
• He was part of the Indian team that won the bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
• On January 31, 2022, PR Sreejesh became the first Indian male athlete and the second Indian overall to win the 2021 World Games Athlete of the Year.
• The award recognizes the best athlete from the sports featured in The World Games, which include non-Olympic sports.

Additional Information

• The World Games
  • The World Games are an international multi-sport event that features sports not included in the Olympic Games.
  • They are organized by the International World Games Association (IWGA), under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
  • The first World Games were held in 1981 in Santa Clara, California, USA.
  • Sports included in The World Games range from air sports, dance sport, and powerlifting to tug of war and korfball.
• Tokyo 2020 Olympics
  • The Tokyo 2020 Olympics were held from July 23 to August 8, 2021, after being postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • India won a total of 7 medals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, including one gold, two silver, and four bronze.
  • PR Sreejesh played a crucial role as the goalkeeper for the Indian men's hockey team, helping them secure a bronze medal.
• Field Hockey in India
  • Field hockey is one of the most popular sports in India, with a rich history and tradition.
  • India has won a total of 8 gold medals in hockey at the Olympics, the most by any country in men's hockey.
  • The Indian men's hockey team achieved historic success by winning the bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, ending a 41-year medal drought